Boy Scouts VS Civil Air Patrol?

2025_skofalcs

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I am currently 13 years old and have recently discovered the Air Force Academy. I've always wanted to be a pilot and believe me, I will not rest until I've done everything I can to get into the Academy. I've researched for hours and I found the civil air patrol. I am also in Boy Scouts, however. I've already enrolled myself into the cadet program and have even emailed my scoutmaster, telling him this. He explained to me that being an Eagle Scout would put me at the top of the Academy Admissions list (him being a Marine and had applied to USAFA), but I guess I'd have to make a choice between BSA and CAP. CAP, to me, seems that it would better prepare me to be in the Air Force and would be more desirable to Academy Admissions. Of course Eagle Scout is no easy feat, but CAP is the auxiliary of the USAF. Can anyone give me some insight on this? It is greatly appreciated.
 
Can you do both? DS was able to do both and gained a lot from both groups in terms of leadership and fabulous opportunities. He achieved both Eagle and Mitchell and received an appointment to USAFA. Highly recommend both programs.
 
He is exaggerating by telling you being an Eagle Scout puts you at the top of the admissions list. There isn't any single activity where that is true. You do gets points for being an Eagle Scout, but you also get points h.s. sports, ECA's, leadership etc. All of those things count toward what admissions is looking for.
 
I agree... Do both if you can. Boys scouts shows dedication from an early age, usually 6 years old until Eagle. My son got his eagle at 16. There's something to be said for a long term commitment. You're 13...you will regret not finishing. Only 5% of scouts make it to Eagle...you can do it!
 
Pretty sure neither activity is more desirable to admissions than the other. Find what you love and do extremely well in it.
 
And the whole Auxiliary of the Air Force thing doesnt really mean anything.
 
Thx all for the insight. I really hope that I can do both... I'm just worried about all of the other commitments I'm going to make to get in @Swag
 
Thx all for the insight. I really hope that I can do both... I'm just worried about all of the other commitments I'm going to make to get in @Swag
That's why it's only 5%...life gets in the way! I do agree with doing what you love. Good luck!
 
You've been in scouting for a while. Obviously you got into it because you wanted to. You've stayed with it because you like it. That if the RIGHT reason for being in scouts. You seem to be looking at CAP because you think that it will somehow get you extra points towards applying to the academy. That is the WRONG reason for being in CAP.

You will prosper and excel in things you have a passion for. And THAT is what the academy and military are looking for. Do you think the academy really gives a hoot if you're in CAP, JrROTC, scouts, band, or any other activity. No, they don't. What they care about is passion, commitment, excelling, leadership, teamwork, perserverence, etc. they don't give a darn HOW or WHERE you do those things. As long as you demonstrate them. And the best way to demonstrate those things, is to be involved in activities that you want to be in and are passionate about. You obviously like scouts. That's what you should be involved in. Use your extra time to be involved in sports, volunteering, and other social activities. Activities that you like and are passionate about. Then, you'll find ways to excel in those activities to gain leadership experience in them.

And raptor is 100% correct. CAP will not prepare you for the academy or real military any better than any other activity you can think of. FWIW. I had an individual go to the academy last summer. He was in JrROTC from the first year available. He was the #2 in the JrROTC program. He wanted the academy and military his whole life. He KNEW he was prepared. Or at least he THOUGHT he was. He quit the academy half way through basic training. CAP, JrROTC, scouts, etc. are all great programs. But none of them will prepare you for the academy. Definitely not better than any other activity.

The academy is looking for leaders. To become a leader, you must first know how to follow. You must learn how to be part of a team. The academy gets many good leaders walking in on day one. Some aren't the best leaders yet, but they are great team players and develop into good leaders. Those leadership qualities and traits can be developed in any activity. From the band to the science club. From church groups to volunteering to help the needy. From the football team to the bowling team. From scouts to going on a mission retreat. Just do the activities you are passionate about and excel in them.
 
I'm just gonna throw in my two cents... First off, it's great that you already have a goal in mind at 13 and have a passion to reach that goal. Yes, becoming an Eagle Scout will help (it certainly won't hurt!). My son joined scouting at 15 as a freshman in high school with the end goal that it would help him get into the academy. Mind you, there were plenty of other things that went into reaching that goal and they all require hard work, perseverance and TIME commitments. As long as you enjoy scouting, stick with it. Start earning all your merit badges early and get those out of the way so that when it comes time to do the 6-month stretches as a star and life scout, you'll be able to focus on other things that are going to help you out - like participating in team sports, clubs, volunteering, seeking leadership opportunities and/or positions of responsibility, running for class officer, perhaps getting a part-time job, taking advanced curriculum and doing well, scoring well on the SAT or ACT. Maybe you can also look into CAP if time allows. At 13, time is on your side.
 
If anything I recommend Eagle Scout, I got mine this year (March 16th was my board of review and my paperwork came back in May.) I turned in my paperwork 1 day before my birthday (so don't procrastinate) and I was so happy I didn't quit like I saw so many do. You have to think about the long run on this, if you don't get into USAFA and you end up graduating from a civilian school, when applying for a job in the post graduate world Eagle Scout will make a big impression on applications. No business is going to care that you were in CAP. But when they see Eagle Scout they will focus on your application more. Strive to be in the 5%! You have time, but it will fly if you don't jump on the opportunities to be Eagle.
 
Hey,Padre101
Im wondering how many flight hrs. does civil air patrol let you have and how old to you need to be to join
 
@2025_skofalcs congrats on finding CAP early. In general, you are talking about two established programs that USAFA admissions understands. If you were comparing CAP to the Patronus Club at your High School, CAP would be the slam dunk because admissions understands what that is and most likely never heard of the Patronus Club (because I made it up).

If you were evaluating the return on your time investment, you are already looking in the right areas. What checkboxes are on the official application? Eagle Scout is one and so are the CAP achievements.

I joined CAP after completing my Eagle rank. Like scouting, there are time requirements to CAP advancement and it can take a few years to reach the top. Under optimal conditions, they show 38 months to promote through the program. I would say depending on your local CAP Squadron, there are some elements like flying, drill, and/or Search and Rescue that would certainly make participating in the program enjoyable.

If doing both means never completing a major achievement in either because of the time commitments - stick to one. If you can do both and keep up with your fitness and academics - great. If you can complete your Eagle and then pivot into CAP - another great plan.

Here is a good chart on CAP advancement:
 
Hey,Padre101
Im wondering how many flight hrs. does civil air patrol let you have and how old to you need to be to join
Minimum age is 12. Flying opportunities are available but can be limited depending your local squadron. Some meet at airports and have volunteers. Others meet at community centers and struggle to find aviators who can give flights or teach.
 
I am currently 13 years old and have recently discovered the Air Force Academy. I've always wanted to be a pilot and believe me, I will not rest until I've done everything I can to get into the Academy. I've researched for hours and I found the civil air patrol. I am also in Boy Scouts, however. I've already enrolled myself into the cadet program and have even emailed my scoutmaster, telling him this. He explained to me that being an Eagle Scout would put me at the top of the Academy Admissions list (him being a Marine and had applied to USAFA), but I guess I'd have to make a choice between BSA and CAP. CAP, to me, seems that it would better prepare me to be in the Air Force and would be more desirable to Academy Admissions. Of course Eagle Scout is no easy feat, but CAP is the auxiliary of the USAF. Can anyone give me some insight on this? It is greatly appreciated.
There is the aviation merit badge. Scouts does do a lot of work with people in the military, like your scoutmaster was a Marine. I know at least 5 people in my troop who are ex-military or national guard, and we've had a few get accepted into west point and USAFA. Those are the types of people you can reach out to. And remember that high schools do JROTC, and even if it isn't air force, it will help you in the same way CAP does. Combine that with scouts and you will look pretty good to the academy (and you are eligible for another nomination method). As far as being a pilot goes, CAP is your best bet. However, consider Scouting because you are already in it and it will give you much more than CAP will even if you don't get accepted into a service academy. I'm just like you, 13 and eager. Whatever happens, good luck, maybe we'll meet each other. Class of 2030?
 
There is the aviation merit badge. Scouts does do a lot of work with people in the military, like your scoutmaster was a Marine. I know at least 5 people in my troop who are ex-military or national guard, and we've had a few get accepted into west point and USAFA. Those are the types of people you can reach out to. And remember that high schools do JROTC, and even if it isn't air force, it will help you in the same way CAP does. Combine that with scouts and you will look pretty good to the academy (and you are eligible for another nomination method). As far as being a pilot goes, CAP is your best bet. However, consider Scouting because you are already in it and it will give you much more than CAP will even if you don't get accepted into a service academy. I'm just like you, 13 and eager. Whatever happens, good luck, maybe we'll meet each other. Class of 2030?
my bad. I didn't see how old this post was! We won't see each other. But good luck regardless.
 
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